 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Lanie
Date: 2014-03-14 23:00
I am going to SHSU next year as a music education major. I will have to be in marching band there as a requirement to graduate -plus, I like it:). I have been in my HS marching band for four years and have always used my buffet E11, even back when I used it as both a marching and concert horn because I have only had my R13 for a little over a year. Anyways, have I made a mistake in the past by using a wooden horn? Would it be wise to purchase a cheap plastic one or will I be fine with my E11? I know a lot of people refer to their marching horns as their "bad" horn, but mine is no such thing. I would use it in a heartbeat for anything if my R13 were unavailable. It is a very good horn and I treat it with the same respect I give to my other horn.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-03-15 03:29
For all those times you'd be compelled to be out there in much colder temps than your horn would prefer, I'd go the synthetic route for outside gigs. Don't forget the relatively inexpensive hard rubber clarinets from Ridenour.
.........Paul Aviles
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2014-03-15 03:37
Plastic or hard rubber is a no brainer for marching especially in the cold.
You could also consider a good quality used instrument, there are plenty of good hard rubber pro or semi pro clarinets that usually sell for very reasonable prices.
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Author: ThatPerfectReed
Date: 2014-03-15 03:58
I say an E11 is too good for marching band where it can be rained upon and/or explosed to the cold. Assuming funds are not unlimited, if it's in good condition, sell it, and use the money to do one of two things
* buy a plastic clarinet on, say, ebay, for marching band only, saving the difference in price for other things, or
* spend more money to buy a Ridenour clarinet, made of rubber, which will provide you an excellent backup to your R13 that can handle wet and cold exposure better, that depending upon model, you may like playing better than your R13, which you can sell for a Ridenour "A" clarinet--which you may need for your schooling too, coming away from the transaction with pocket money for accessories, reeds, etc.
(1960s R13 owner and lover--but pragmatist)
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Author: FDF
Date: 2014-03-15 04:01
When I played in the Indiana University Marching 100 we were issued metal clarinets, so our concert band and ensemble clarinets would be in good condition.
Don't know SHSU, maybe, as a quality school, they could do the same.
FDF
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Author: davyd
Date: 2014-03-15 03:25
Definitely don't take a wood instrument onto the marching field. If you aren't issued a plastic or metal instrument and can't afford to get one, ask to be in the flag line instead.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2014-03-15 04:13
The West Point Band issues (or at least used to issue) plastic Bundys to all clarinetists, who were required to use them for all marching gigs. They were built like tanks and withstood any amount of cold, heat and abuse.
While they're no longer made, you can find them for pennies on the various auction sites. With a decent plastic mouthpiece, they play more than well enough.
Check with SHSU. I'll bet they have the same policy and probably issue plastic clarinets for marching.
Ken Shaw
Post Edited (2014-03-15 14:35)
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2014-03-15 05:16
Buy a used Vito, Yamaha or Bundy. They're rugged enough for band work, they won't crack, they don't cost a lot and they play perfectly well enough for outside use.
Tony F.
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2014-03-15 14:35
Also put Holton, Buescher, and Selmer USA on your list. The plastic Holton is a rebranded Vito, while the plastic Buescher Aristocrat (with offset trill keys) and Selmer 1400/1400B are the same as the Bundy 1400.
The Holton and Buescher clarinets have largely been forgotten about in the marketplace, and tend to sell for even less than their Vito and Bundy stablemates.
Some folks also like the plastic Artleys and the Conn 16N. Unlike the Vito and Bundy, I haven't tried them. The Conn 16N tends to sell for very low prices.
Post Edited (2014-03-15 19:04)
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2014-03-15 18:49
For a nicer plastic clarinet experience, one could always spend a bit more and find a good Vito V-40, or one of the plastic Selmer Signet/Buescher 400 twins.
The V-40, in particular, is the most "professional" of all the plastic clarinets I've had come through my studio. But the Signet and 400 are almost as good, and have the added virtue of stainless steel screws and springs which won't rust if the clarinet gets wet. For outdoors gigs, these may offer the best balance of playability, durability, and affordability.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2014-03-15 15:33
Your E11 will be fine for marching. Several former students of mine attend SHSU, and use their old E11's outside.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Claire Annette
Date: 2014-03-17 16:50
Might want to consider Legere synthetic reeds for marching, too. They should perform consistently in all types of weather.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2014-03-18 11:35
I've never heard the clarinets in a marching band.....even my own.....so IMO it doesn't make any difference what you play. You could even just hold a non-working one and pretend.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2014-03-18 16:37
I agree with Bob.
When I was in the West Point Band, there were lots of clarinetists with big "orchestral" tones.
Out of curiosity, I went to a parade one day when I was not on duty. I couldn't hear a single clarinet note - just brass and drums. And these were marches I had played a million times.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2014-03-18 16:14
...and I agree with Bob and Ken. When I've taken in parades as a spectator, about the only time I can hear the clarinets is if they happen to be holding on a trilled note.
Perhaps we should be marching with soprano saxophones...
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-03-19 00:45
My experience is a bit different. I've actually been told, "what where you doint out there, that march isn't a solo for clarinet with band accompaniment!"
Also I've seen some pretty fancy marching shows in the last few years where they actually featured a microphoned clarinet solo in the middle of all the wild patterns going on out there (clarinet players literally RUNNING while doing the 'grapevine' across the field).
So durability is important if you do all the whacky stuff too, but don't worry, if you really need a clarinet to be heard on the field..........IT HAS BEEN DONE!!
.................Paul Aviles
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